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Radwanska loses to Tomljanovic at French Open - NBC Sports

Radwanska loses to Tomljanovic at French Open

APWF

Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska returns the ball during the third round match of the French Open tennis tournament against Croatia's Ajla Tomljanovic at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Friday, May 30, 2014. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

May 30, 2014, 7:25 am

Associated Press

PARIS (AP) Third-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska became the latest favorite to be eliminated from the women's draw at the French Open, losing 6-4, 6-4 to unseeded Ajla Tomljanovic of Croatia in the third round.

The loss means the top three seeded women have all been eliminated, following the exits of No. 1 Serena Williams and No. 2 Li Na.

"After seeing the two first seeds go out, you kind of feel like `I can do this, too,"' Tomljanovic said. "I grew up with these girls that are beating them."

It was the earliest Grand Slam exit for Radwanska, the 2012 Wimbledon finalist, since losing in the third round here two years ago. She reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and Roland Garros last year, the semifinals at Wimbledon and the fourth round at the U.S. Open.

Her loss leaves No. 4 Simona Halep of Romania as the highest-seeded woman remaining, although No. 7 Maria Sharapova of Russia is now arguably the clear favorite. Sharapova was set to play Paula Ormaechea later Thursday.

Radwanska had a chance to break back to 4-4 in the second set, but Tomljanovic saved it with a smart volley at the net.

"Maybe it wasn't her best day, but I definitely think I took advantage and dictated today," Tomljanovic said.

The 21-year Tomljanovic, who had never previously played at Roland Garros, is into the fourth round for the first time at a Grand Slam. She is ranked 72nd and has never won a WTA title.

She next plays the winner of a later match between No. 14 Carla Suarez Navarro and Taylor Townsend.

"I definitely think the tournament is not over for me," Tomljanovic said.

Former U.S. Open champion Samantha Stosur, seeded 19th, also advanced to the fourth round after beating No. 9 Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia 6-4, 6-4.

In the men's draw, No. 18 Ernests Gulbis of Latvia reached the fourth round here for the first time since 2008 - the year he reached the last eight - after beating Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-2, 7-5.